Overview
Back in May 2001, Brisbanites first started hopping on the Airtrain to get to the airport. Two decades later, you can now jump on a bus as well. If you've ever flown into Melbourne and then made your way into the CBD, you'll be familiar with Sky Bus — because, unlike Brissie, the Victorian capital doesn't yet have a rail option. The company also ran a shuttle service on the Gold Coast until 2020, and currently operates in Byron Bay, Hobart and Auckland, with driving around Brisbane its latest venture.
Sky Bus' bright red vehicles first hit the streets this week, on Monday, May 10, servicing both the domestic and international airports. Whether you're heading away or coming home, you can travel between the Brissie CBD and whichever airport you're jetting out of, with the service making 11 pick-up and drop-off stops along the way.
If you're wondering whether to switch from the Airtrain, the route might be the deciding factor, with Sky Bus' inbound leg first stopping in Hamilton, then in Newstead, and then following Ann Street to Anzac Square in the city. After that, it ventures down Margaret Street, along Eagle Street and onto Wickham Street, finishing up near East Street. Going outbound, it simply reverses the route.
Times-wise, you can jump onboard between 6am–1am on weekdays and 6am–9pm on weekends. A ticket will cost you $15 one-way, regardless of where you're hopping on or getting off — for an approximately 65-minute journey from the CBD to the domestic terminal, and a 62-minute run to the international airport. Unlike the Airtrain, the Sky Bus is at the mercy of traffic, so those times could vary.
For more information about Sky Bus' Brisbane service, head to the company's website.
Top image: Liam Davies via Wikimedia Commons.